CONCRETE OVERVIEW

It's hard to imagine a world without concrete. Its in our roads and bridges, our schools, hospitals, workplaces and homes. Concrete provides the foundation for a stronger Australia.

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Concrete is the world's most widely used architectural medium, owing to its incredible versatility. As a building material it has a unique ability to be shaped and sculpted into anything from roads and footpaths to art sculptures, residential homes and skyscrapers.

There are no limits to where and how concrete can be used and its inherent strength and durability underscores its credentials as one of the most sustainable building products.

Watch the short video to learn how the concrete industry helps build a stronger economy for all Australians.

6 Interesting Facts About Concrete

Cement or concrete - what's the difference?

Cement is the grey powder that when mixed with water acts as the glue that binds the hard concrete together. Cement, water, sand and gravel are all mixed together to form the durable, strong, inexpensive and flexible construction material that we all know as concrete.

Concrete is used everywhere

Concrete is the second most consumed substance (after water) in the world. In fact, 70% of the world’s population lives in a structure that contains concrete.

Building Australia

Concrete is the most cost effective
construction material for many applications.
Some 29 million cubic metres of pre mixed
concrete is produced to build Australia each
year. That is enough to fill up 18 Melbourne
Cricket Grounds!

Locally sourced

Concrete needs to be made close to where it
is used as it generally only lasts 90 minutes
before it starts to harden. The sand and gravel
within the concrete also need to be locally
sourced to keep transportation costs low to
help keep building costs down for local
projects and supporting local jobs.

Concrete is strong

Concrete’s strength, durability, flexibility, energy
efficiency and low cost make it ideal to be used
in a range of homes, shops, workplaces, roads,
bridges, schools and hospitals. You can build
without limits with concrete.

Sustainable concrete

The concrete industry has worked hard to reduce
its environmental footprint. It has reduced CO2
emissions by using what would otherwise be
waste products such as fly ash and slag to deliver
energy efficient buildings, underscoring concrete’s
credentials as one of the most sustainable
building products.

How Concrete Is Made

How do you make concrete?
Here’s a simple overview.

Further Reading

Factsheets

Want to know more about the concrete industry in Australia?
Download the factsheets for further information.